Another 'What a week!"

I found last week fascinating. I couldn’t wait for Monday and the ‘soap opera’ of a new government unfolding.

I was born after World War II but I saw enough footage of films showing families huddled round the radio to listen to the latest news to realise how anxious the nation was to hear about every twist and turn of events as they unfolded. Last Monday and Tuesday were like that too. On Tuesday evening I was driven to Buxton in Derbyshire to do a talk at a local Church. I have a driver so that I can work and catch up with my mail or write my columns for my magazine, as well as not have the strain of driving, getting there on time, fearing getting lost, etc.

My talk went well and everyone was lovely. A gentlemen came up to talk at the end and told me how he and his brother had been put into care from birth and that his mother had died when he was four weeks old. He stayed in a children’s home till he was 21. He must be in his early 70’s now and he wanted to send me a CD that he loves because he thinks I will enjoy it. I love those sorts of presents. They mean the world to me.

Back to politics. On the journey home I asked David, my driver, to turn on the 10 o’clock news. It was one of those ‘crowding round the radio’ moments as it emerged that David Cameron and Nick Clegg had reached an agreement and Gordon Brown had stood down. Listening to the comment and opinions on Radio 4 (I’m a Radio 2 fan but when things are serious it has to be Radio 4), there was this real sense of hope that this new government will work. Like the rest of the nation, I really hope it does.

Wednesday was an early start for a drive down to London to meet my book publishers. My Amazing Inch Loss Plan book has done very well and is to be re-packaged for January in a smaller format, with the exercises currently included to be demonstrated on www.rosemaryconley.tv instead of being featured in the book. In addition, we will include testimonials of the many, many folk who have transformed their bodies with this diet. When you write a diet book you are selling hope. If you have heaps of people who have proved that the diet works – because it really does – then it gives prospective dieters optimism and determination to give it a real try.

Thursday was Board Meeting day. I love these days because it enables us to have a catch-up as to where we are at. Our Solo Slim food range has really taken off and people are loving it. I love it when we try something new and it works. We have such a lovely team at Quorn House and working is a total pleasure.

Friday was an Open Day for potential franchisees to come to Quorn House to meet us and get to know about our franchise opportunity. Folk from all corners of the British Isles came along, and with such varied backgrounds too, all wanting to run classes to help folk to lose weight and become fitter. They were a really grand bunch of people and several will, I am sure, become RC franchisees – but only if it is right for them and we feel they are right for us.

I hardly ever accept an invitation to speak or present at a function on a Friday night but last Friday was an exception. The Leicester Netball Association were holding a Celebratory Dinner and asked if I would present their Awards, plus they were raising money for my main charity Steps Conductive Education Centre in Shepshed (www.stepscentre.org). How could I refuse? So it was a late night for me and an early start on Saturday to host an 80th Birthday Party for my step-mother in Norfolk. It went really well but by the time I had driven home, and 250 miles during the day, I was spent. But my Step-mum had a great day and it was all worth the effort and, actually, very enjoyable.

Sunday was a rest day but, as Patron of The Laura Centre, I needed to attend a Memorial Service to remember the many children who had died so sadly and tragically. It is always a very moving event but one I won’t miss. It makes me realise how very, very fortunate I am and how some folk have tragic events in their lives that they have to cope with and, despite those shattering experiences, continue to hold their families together. We really should count our blessings.

I have four more days before I have two weeks and one day off! Yes, I am really looking forward to it.